3 Ways to Flatten Your Belly With Grapefruit Juice

These refreshing sips are packed with fat-fighting nutrients that banish bloat, boost metabolism, and more! Learn how grapefruit juice can help speed slimming and how to add it to three delicious mocktails below.

Grapefruit balances blood sugar.

Sipping a grapefruit refresher can cut energy-sapping blood sugar swings by 64 percent. Harvard University researchers credit a compound found in grapefruit called hesperidin, which improves cells’ sensitivity to insulin.

Grapefruit blocks fat formation.

A flavonoid (nobiletin) found in this tart, juicy fruit switches off fat-storage genes. In fact, Canadian researchers found that subjects who regularly consumed nobiletin-rich fare gained 87 percent less weight on a high-fat diet than those who didn’t get the nutrient.

Grapefruit speeds metabolism.

Grapefruit is loaded with vitamin C, which promotes the synthesis of carnitine, an amino acid that shuttles fatty acids to cells to be used as fuel. In a study at Johns Hopkins University, this boosted fat burning enough to help subjects given citrus fruit daily shed 20 pounds in 13 weeks without making any other changes.

Grapefruit-Rosemary Sipper

• 2 cups grapefruit juice  
• 2 sprigs rosemary  
• 2 Tbsp. honey  
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice  

In pitcher, muddle all ingredients; add 1 cup ice cubes. Rim 2 glasses with salt, if desired. Divide drink between glasses. Makes 2 servings.

Bonus: Polyphenols in honey improve short-term memory.

Citrusy-Peach Sparkler

• 1 cup grapefruit juice  
• 1/4 cup orange juice  
• 1 sprig rosemary 
• 1/2 cup seltzer  
• 1 Tbsp. peach nectar 

In cocktail shaker, muddle first 3 ingredients until flavors blend. Strain into 2 champagne flutes. Top with seltzer, then peach nectar. Garnish as desired. Makes 2 servings.

Bonus: Folate in orange juice improves blood circulation to boost energy.

Pom-Grapefruit Refresher

• 1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice 
• 1/2 cup grapefruit juice  
• 4 strips grapefruit zest  
• 2 sprigs fresh mint  
• 4 tsp. agave syrup  
• Pomegranate arils 

In cocktail shaker, muddle first 5 ingredients, then strain into 2 ice-filled glasses. Top each with pomegranate arils. Garnish each with mint sprig, if desired. Makes 2 servings.

Bonus: The ellagic acid in pomegranate wards off wrinkles.

This article originally appeared in our print magazine.

More From FIRST

The MIND Diet Can Help Ward Off Alzheimer’s While Shrinking Your Waist

Confuse It to Lose It: How to Trick Your Metabolism Into Burning Fat Faster

25 ‘Slow Carb’ Foods That Will Actually Help You Slim Down and Boost Overall Health